The National Competition of Resistance and Deportation: 60 years of history, memory and citizen engagement

At the initiative of Jean-Michel Blanquer, Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports and under the authority of Tristan Lecoq, Inspector General (history-geography) and President of the National Jury of the National Contest of Resistance and Deportation (CNRD), are commemorated today the 60th anniversary of the oldest and most important school competition in France, a figure of history, memory and commitment. More than 40,000 students participate each year, approximately since 1961, over one million participants.

The Shoah Memorial and the Museum of National Resistance joined for the first time to present a joint exhibition. This one traces the genesis of the competition and its development, its challenges and main evolutions, its achievements and its future. It values the students' work and highlights the strong involvement of teachers, while highlighting powerful news from the CNRD.

This exhibition is organized around four major themes – Decide, Meet, Achieve, Commit – and it is illustrated by various iconographic documents, film excerpts, archives and also, obviously, productions of winning students. The exhibition also proposes to highlight the variety of subjects and forms addressed by the students, individually and collectively, for 60 years.  Testimony and tribute, it is finally a resolute step towards the future of the CNRD and the School of the Republic.

Discover the exhibition site 

Participate in the events around the exhibition